UConn gets past Rutgers 82-71

PISCATAWAY, N.J. >> Shabazz Napier scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half and Connecticut posted a much-harder-than-expected 82-71 victory over Rutgers on Saturday night.

Ryan Boatright added 12 points and Amida Brimah had 10 points and eight rebounds as the Huskies (16-4, 4-3 American Athletic Conference) won for the fifth time in six games and handed Rutgers (8-12, 2-5) its third straight loss and fifth in six games.

Jerome Seagears and Kadeem Jack had 19 points apiece for Rutgers in what will probably be the final conference game between the long-time rivals. The Scarlet Knights will join the Big Ten Conference next season.

A big part of the Connecticut win was its defense on Scarlet Knights leading scorer Myles Mack (16.5 points) He scored a season-low six points on 2 of 9 shooting. He had scored in double figures in 11 straight games.